US4929868A - Glow discharge lamp containing nitrogen - Google Patents

Glow discharge lamp containing nitrogen Download PDF

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Publication number
US4929868A
US4929868A US07/295,611 US29561189A US4929868A US 4929868 A US4929868 A US 4929868A US 29561189 A US29561189 A US 29561189A US 4929868 A US4929868 A US 4929868A
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United States
Prior art keywords
glow discharge
discharge lamp
set forth
percent
negative glow
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
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US07/295,611
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English (en)
Inventor
Andre C. Bouchard
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Osram Sylvania Inc
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GTE Products Corp
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Publication date
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Priority to US07/295,611 priority Critical patent/US4929868A/en
Assigned to GTE PRODUCTS CORPORATION, A DE. CORP. reassignment GTE PRODUCTS CORPORATION, A DE. CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: BOUCHARD, ANDRE C.
Priority to CA002006279A priority patent/CA2006279A1/fr
Priority to EP19890124174 priority patent/EP0377225A3/fr
Priority to JP2000153A priority patent/JPH02267849A/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4929868A publication Critical patent/US4929868A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/64—Cathode glow lamps
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/12—Selection of substances for gas fillings; Specified operating pressure or temperature
    • H01J61/16—Selection of substances for gas fillings; Specified operating pressure or temperature having helium, argon, neon, krypton, or xenon as the principle constituent

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to a compact fluorescent lamp and pertains, more particularly, to a negative glow discharge lamp which contains a predetermined amount of nitrogen.
  • a negative glow lamp typically is comprised of a light transmitting envelope containing a noble gas and mercury with a phosphor coating on an inner surface of the envelope which is adapted to emit visible light upon absorption of ultraviolet radiation that occurs when the lamp is excited.
  • the lamp is excited by means of the application of a voltage between the lamp electrodes. Current flows between the electrodes after a certain potential is applied to the electrodes, commonly referred to as the breakdown voltage.
  • An elementary explanation of the phenomenon is that the gas between the electrodes becomes ionized at a certain voltage, conducts current, and emits ultraviolet radiation. Examples of typical glow discharge lamps are found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,067,129 to Marden; U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,971 to Bhattacharya; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,141 to Byszewski et al.
  • the instant invention pertains to negative glow discharge lamps of the variety described above.
  • the invention defines a glow lamp which contains a predetermined amount of an impurity (i.e., nitrogen) in the fill gas which results in an improved lamp efficacy (i.e., light output per lamp wattage).
  • an impurity i.e., nitrogen
  • Mooney et al teach that small concentrations of nitrogen (i.e., 0.1 percent) introduced into an argon-filled F20T12 fluorescent lamp seem to be advantageous to lumen maintenance. However, a concentration of 1 percent nitrogen is shown in FIG. 2 of the reference to result in a decrease in efficiency beginning at about 750 hours. Mooney et al, like Mager, also point out that nitrogen may result in difficulties in lamp starting.
  • a glow discharge lamp that is comprised of a light-transmitting envelope containing a gas fill material which includes at least one noble gas and nitrogen.
  • the nitrogen is in an amount from 1.5 percent to less than 10 percent of the total gas fill material.
  • a pair of electrodes are disposed in the envelope and lead-in wires are associated with the electrodes for support thereof. These lead-in wires extend through and are hermetically sealed in the envelope.
  • a power supply means is provided coupled to the electrodes via the lead-in wires and for operating the electrodes in a DC mode of lamp operation.
  • the envelope contains mercury and emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation.
  • a phosphor coating is provided on an inner surface of the envelope and this emits visible light upon absorption of ultraviolet radiation.
  • the gas fill material may comprise a mixture of neon and argon.
  • the lamp envelope is generally of spherical construction having a maximum cross-section bulbous region with the pair of electrodes being disposed at the envelope cross-section bulbous region. The pair of electrodes are disposed in a side-by-side relationship.
  • the cathode electrode is coated with an emissive material.
  • FIG. 1 is a front elevational cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a negative glow discharge lamp constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a front elevational cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a negative glow discharge lamp.
  • FIG. 1 herein illustrates a negative glow discharge lamp of this type including an envelope 10 that is provided with a phosphor coating as illustrated at 12.
  • the cathode electrode 14 is coated with an emissive material such as one of barium, strontium and calcium carbonates that are converted to oxides during lamp processing.
  • the anode electrode 16, which is typically a bare tungsten coil electrode, is uncoated. These electrodes are supported by respective lead-in wires 15 and 17.
  • the lamp is operated in a DC mode of operation rather than an AC mode of operation. This lamp construction provides improved lumen maintenance and longer life span, particularly in comparison to prior art glow lamp constructions.
  • the envelope 10 is generally of spherical shape having a generally maximum cross-section bulbous region 18 and also including a neck region 20.
  • the lead-in wires 15 and 17 are typically hermetically sealed at the neck region 20 with a wafer stem assembly.
  • the electrodes 14 and 16 are supported primarily in a side-by-side relationship and are approximately at the maximum cross-section bulbous region 18.
  • the glow discharge lamp may by constructed as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 2 there is illustrated the lamp envelope 30 that has a bulbous region 32 and a neck region 34.
  • a cathode electrode 36 and an anode electrode 38.
  • the cathode electrode 36 may be a standard No. 41 tungsten exciter coil.
  • Lead-in wires 37 support the cathode electrode 36 and, as noted in FIG. 2, a single lead-in wire 39 supports the anode electrode 38.
  • the lead-in wires may be rod-like of say 20-30 mil diameter.
  • Both the lead-in wires 37 and a single lead-in wire 39 are hermetically sealed such as by means of a wafer stem assembly 40 that closes the bottom neck region 34 of the lamp envelope as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the lead-in wires 37 are preferably also constructed of molybdenum to provide proper lamp construction and operation.
  • the anode electrode 38 is constructed of a strip 45 of molybdenum, tungsten, or tantalum.
  • the foil strip 45 may be secured to the lead-in wire 39 by providing a turned end on the very end of the lead-in wire 39. This permits the end to be swagged securing the molybdenum foil strip at its very top end therebetween. In addition, one may provide a solder, adhesive or weld seal between the lead-in wire 39 and foil strip 45.
  • the cathode In operation, the cathode emits electrons that are accelerated so that mercury vapor is excited in the extended region of the low pressure gas.
  • the envelope may be filled with a conventional fill material including mercury and a noble gas or mixtures of noble gases.
  • a suitable noble gas is neon.
  • the lamp can be operated from either an AC or DC power source.
  • the envelope contains a fill material that emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation.
  • This fill material may comprise a noble gas or a mixture of noble gases at a fill pressure of, for example, 3 torr.
  • the noble gases include argon, neon, helium, krypton and zenon.
  • a quantity of mercury (e.g., 30 mg) is contained within the envelope.
  • the envelope of the negative glow discharge lamp contains a predetermined amount of nitrogen in addition to at least one noble gas.
  • the nitrogen is in an amount greater than or equal to 1.5 percent of the fill.
  • the amount of nitrogen should not be greater than 10 percent of the fill.
  • the amount of nitrogen is in an amount greater than 1.5 percent and less than 10 percent.
  • FIG. 1 As typical but non-limiting examples of negative glow discharge lamps made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a series of lamps were constructed as illustrated in FIG. 1. Each lamp contained an anode electrode and a cathode electrode sealed in a phoshor-coated envelope. The test lamps contained 1.5, 3, 6 or 10 percent nitrogen with the balance being neon. The test lamps were compared to control lamps containing 99.5 percent neon and 0.5 percent argon. TABLE I below illustrates the light output and efficiency for each group operating on a 2.0 ampere dc circuit.

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  • Discharge Lamp (AREA)
  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
US07/295,611 1989-01-05 1989-01-05 Glow discharge lamp containing nitrogen Expired - Fee Related US4929868A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/295,611 US4929868A (en) 1989-01-05 1989-01-05 Glow discharge lamp containing nitrogen
CA002006279A CA2006279A1 (fr) 1989-01-05 1989-12-21 Lampe a decharge luminescente renfermant de l'azote
EP19890124174 EP0377225A3 (fr) 1989-01-05 1989-12-30 Lampe à décharge luminescente contenant de l'azote
JP2000153A JPH02267849A (ja) 1989-01-05 1990-01-05 窒素を含むグロー放電ランプ

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/295,611 US4929868A (en) 1989-01-05 1989-01-05 Glow discharge lamp containing nitrogen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4929868A true US4929868A (en) 1990-05-29

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US07/295,611 Expired - Fee Related US4929868A (en) 1989-01-05 1989-01-05 Glow discharge lamp containing nitrogen

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US4929868A (fr)
EP (1) EP0377225A3 (fr)
JP (1) JPH02267849A (fr)
CA (1) CA2006279A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5027030A (en) * 1989-11-30 1991-06-25 Gte Products Corporation Glow discharge lamp having zero anode voltage drop
US5146135A (en) * 1990-10-17 1992-09-08 Gte Products Corporation Glow discharge lamp having anode probes
US5266864A (en) * 1990-02-01 1993-11-30 Gte Products Corporation Negative glow discharge lamp with fill containing cesium or sodium
WO1997005646A1 (fr) * 1995-08-01 1997-02-13 Aktsionernoe Obschestvo Zakrytogo Tipa 'nauchno-Tekhnicheskoe Agentstvo 'intellekt' Procede d'emission d'un rayonnement optique et lampe a decharge permettant de mettre en oeuvre ce procede

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5218269A (en) * 1991-11-29 1993-06-08 Gte Products Corporation Negative glow discharge lamp having wire anode

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2067129A (en) * 1933-06-14 1937-01-05 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Cathode for discharge devices
US2419902A (en) * 1944-03-10 1947-04-29 Sylvania Electric Prod Fluorescent electric discharge lamp
US3559190A (en) * 1966-01-18 1971-01-26 Univ Illinois Gaseous display and memory apparatus
US3814971A (en) * 1973-03-01 1974-06-04 Gen Electric Fill gas mixture for glow lamps
US4000436A (en) * 1973-05-31 1976-12-28 Dai Nippon Toryo Co., Ltd. Gaseous discharge luminous device
US4408141A (en) * 1982-01-04 1983-10-04 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Dual cathode beam mode fluorescent lamp

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE590906C (de) * 1926-11-06 1934-01-12 Patra Patent Treuhand Elektrische Glimmentladungsroehre mit positiver Saeule, einem fuer ultraviolette Strahlen durchlaessigen Glasgefaess und einer Fuellung aus verduennten Gasen fuer Bestrahlungszwecke
GB745736A (en) * 1951-11-29 1956-02-29 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements in and relating to electric discharge lamps
US4413204A (en) * 1982-01-04 1983-11-01 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Non-uniform resistance cathode beam mode fluorescent lamp

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2067129A (en) * 1933-06-14 1937-01-05 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Cathode for discharge devices
US2419902A (en) * 1944-03-10 1947-04-29 Sylvania Electric Prod Fluorescent electric discharge lamp
US3559190A (en) * 1966-01-18 1971-01-26 Univ Illinois Gaseous display and memory apparatus
US3814971A (en) * 1973-03-01 1974-06-04 Gen Electric Fill gas mixture for glow lamps
US4000436A (en) * 1973-05-31 1976-12-28 Dai Nippon Toryo Co., Ltd. Gaseous discharge luminous device
US4408141A (en) * 1982-01-04 1983-10-04 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Dual cathode beam mode fluorescent lamp

Non-Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
A Study of the Effects of Gas Impurities in Fluorescent Lamps by Carl Kenty, Jeanette R. Cooper, (pp. 397 411), 2/1945. *
A Study of the Effects of Gas Impurities in Fluorescent Lamps by Carl Kenty, Jeanette R. Cooper, (pp. 397-411), 2/1945.
Fluorescent Lamp Performance as Affected by Impurity Gases by Richard W. Mooney, W. Calvin Gungle; pp. 1 6, 9/1956. *
Fluorescent Lamp Performance as Affected by Impurity Gases by Richard W. Mooney, W. Calvin Gungle; pp. 1-6, 9/1956.

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5027030A (en) * 1989-11-30 1991-06-25 Gte Products Corporation Glow discharge lamp having zero anode voltage drop
US5266864A (en) * 1990-02-01 1993-11-30 Gte Products Corporation Negative glow discharge lamp with fill containing cesium or sodium
US5146135A (en) * 1990-10-17 1992-09-08 Gte Products Corporation Glow discharge lamp having anode probes
WO1997005646A1 (fr) * 1995-08-01 1997-02-13 Aktsionernoe Obschestvo Zakrytogo Tipa 'nauchno-Tekhnicheskoe Agentstvo 'intellekt' Procede d'emission d'un rayonnement optique et lampe a decharge permettant de mettre en oeuvre ce procede
US6040658A (en) * 1995-08-01 2000-03-21 Aktsionernoe Obschestvo Zakkytogo Tipa Nauchno-Tekhniches Koe Agentstvo "Intellekt" Discharge lamp with HO radicals as radiating additives
CN1103114C (zh) * 1995-08-01 2003-03-12 “智力”科技机构股份公司 产生光辐射的方法及所用的放电灯

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0377225A3 (fr) 1991-07-24
CA2006279A1 (fr) 1990-07-05
JPH02267849A (ja) 1990-11-01
EP0377225A2 (fr) 1990-07-11

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Owner name: GTE PRODUCTS CORPORATION, A DE. CORP.

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Effective date: 19881208

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Effective date: 19980603

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